SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 6-K
REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER
PURSUANT TO RULE 13A-16 OR 15D-16
UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
FOR THE MONTH OF JUNE, 2003
Commission file number: 1-14872
SAPPI LIMITED
(Translation of registrant's name into English)
48 AMESHOFF STREET
BRAAMFONTEIN
JOHANNESBURG 2001
REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA
(Address of principal executive offices)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual
reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F.
Form 20-F X Form 40-F
----- -----
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in
paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1):
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in
paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7):
Indicate by check mark whether by furnishing the information contained in this
Form, the registrant is also thereby furnishing the information to the
Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of
1934.
Yes No X
----- -----
If "Yes" is marked, indicated below the file number assigned to the
registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b):82-
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
Sappi Limited's press release dated May 27, 2003, furnished by the Registrant
under this Form 6-K, is incorporated by reference into the Registration
Statement on Form S-8 of the Registrant (File No. 333-11304) and the Section
10(a) Prospectus dated February 13, 2003 relating to the offer and sale of the
Registrant's shares to Participants under The Sappi Limited Share Incentive
Scheme.
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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
In order to utilize the "Safe Harbor" provisions of the United States Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 ("the Reform Act"), Sappi Limited
(the "Company") is providing the following cautionary statement. Except for
historical information contained herein, statements contained in this Report
on Form 6-K may constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of
the Reform Act. The words "believe", "anticipate", "expect", "intend",
"estimate", "plan", "assume", "positioned", "will", "may", "should", "risk"
and other similar expressions which are predictions of or indicate future
events and future trends which do not relate to historical matters identify
forward-looking statements. In addition, this Report on Form 6-K may include
forward-looking statements relating to the Company's potential exposure to
various types of market risks, such as interest rate risk, foreign exchange
rate risk and commodity price risk. Reliance should not be placed on
forward-looking statements because they involve known and unknown risks,
uncertainties and other factors which are in some cases beyond the control of
the Company, together with its subsidiaries (the "Group"), and may cause the
actual results, performance or achievements of the Group to differ materially
from anticipated future results, performance or achievements expressed or
implied by such forward-looking statements (and from past results, performance
or achievements). Certain factors that may cause such differences include but
are not limited to: the highly cyclical nature of the pulp and paper industry;
pulp and paper production, production capacity and pricing levels in North
America, Europe, Asia and southern Africa; any major disruption in production
at the Group's key facilities; changes in environmental, tax and other laws
and regulations; adverse changes in the markets for the Group's products; any
delays, unexpected costs or other problems experienced with any business
acquired or to be acquired; consequences of the Group's leverage; adverse
changes in the South African political situation and economy or the effect of
governmental efforts to address present or future economic or social problems;
and the impact of future investments, acquisitions and dispositions (including
the financing of investments and acquisitions) and any delays, unexpected
costs or other problems experienced in connection with dispositions. These and
other risks, uncertainties and factors are discussed in the Company's
Registration Statement on Form F-1 and other filings with the Securities and
Exchange Commission, including this Report on Form 6-K. Shareholders and
prospective investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these
forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of
the date of the filing of this Report on Form 6-K and are not intended to give
any assurance as to future results. The Company undertakes no obligation to
publicly update or revise any of these forward-looking statements, whether to
reflect new information or future events or circumstances or otherwise.
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SAPPI Limited
Announcement
27 May 2003
SAPPI ANNOUNCES CHANGES IN DIRECTOR'S RESPONSIBILITIES
Sappi has announced that Dr John Job Chairman of the South African Business
and the Group's Director of Technology will relinquish his line responsibility
for the SA Business in December 2003. He will remain the Group's Director of
Technology and will retain his other responsibilities.
Dr Job expressed the desire some time ago to reduce his full-time work
commitments and to retire at the end of 2003. With the leadership transition
in the company, it is very important to maintain continuity and Sappi is
delighted that Dr Job has agreed to defer his retirement and to remain an
Executive Director of Sappi Limited.
This means that John Job's wide general business experience and his particular
technical experience and counsel will remain available, not only at the Sappi
Limited Board level, but also at Subsidiary Boards and he will still remain a
full member of the Sappi Executive team, although he will commit less of his
time to Sappi on a routine basis.
The Group's new CEO, Jonathan Leslie, will plan John Job's succession in the
months ahead and a further announcement will be made in due course.
For further information:
Andre Oberholzer
Public Affairs and Communication Manager
Sappi Limited
Tel +27 (0)11 407 8044
Fax +27 (0)11 403 8236
Andre.Oberholzer@za.sappi.com
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
SAPPI LIMITED
by /s/ D.G. Wilson
-----------------------------
Name: D.G. Wilson
Title: Executive Director:
Finance
Date: June 4, 2003
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